Market Street Clam Chowder

Name: Market Street Clam Chowder
Ingredients: 1 cup potato, diced 1/2 inch; 1 cup celery, diced 1/2 inch; 1 cup onion, diced 1/2 inch; 1 cup leek, diced 1/2 inch; 1 cup green pepper, diced 1/2 inch; 3⁄4 cup chopped clam (canned or fresh); 3⁄4 tablespoon fresh coarse ground black pepper; 1 1⁄2 tablespoons salt; 3⁄4 tablespoon whole thyme; 6 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce; 3⁄4 cup sherry wine (optional); 2 cups water; 3⁄4 cup clam juice; 3⁄4 cup butter, melted; 1 cup flour; 2 quarts half-and-half